Sly Stallone Takes the Bait: How Arnold Schwarzenegger Masterminded a Movie Mishap
In a hilarious twist of Hollywood history, Arnold Schwarzenegger recently revealed how he outsmarted his action movie rival, Sylvester Stallone, into starring in a box office flop.
During a special on Fox, the former California governor recounted his elaborate scheme on the 1992 film “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.”
The movie, a comedic action flick co-starring Estelle Getty, wasn’t exactly a dream project for either actor.
However, Schwarzenegger, ever the strategist, saw an opportunity. He, along with his agent, devised a plan to play on Stallone’s competitive spirit.
Here’s how it unfolded:
- Planting the Seed: Feigning interest, Schwarzenegger’s agent casually mentioned to Stallone’s agent that Arnold “really loved” the script.
- Sweetening the Deal: To make the bait even more enticing, Schwarzenegger fabricated a conversation with the director, Roger Spottiswoode, further conveying his enthusiasm.
- The Hook is Set: Stallone’s agent, sensing a potential power move by Schwarzenegger, panicked and immediately contacted the studio, insisting Stallone be cast instead.
Mission accomplished! As Schwarzenegger himself admitted, he saw Stallone’s involvement as a chance to gain an edge in their ongoing box office rivalry.
The plan worked perfectly. Stallone, eager to one-up his competitor, unknowingly signed on for the movie.
“Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” went on to be a critical and commercial disaster, grossing a mere $70 million worldwide.
Despite this mischievous prank, the two action icons have since become good friends.
The special also revealed their mutual admiration for each other’s work ethic and personalities.
This story serves as a lighthearted reminder of the playful rivalry that once existed between these two Hollywood heavyweights.
